For all he saw resting in the box was a slip of white paper on which had been poorly printed, in lead pencil, the words:
"Merry Christmas, Master Butt-in!"
"Some of Dad's fooling," laughed Dick a moment later.
"Not much it isn't," retorted Mr. Prescott, taking a quick step forward. "Let me see that paper."
Dick handed it over, and his father read the words.
"What on earth does this mean?" he demanded. "What we put in that box was your first watch, Dick. A silver-cased watch and a very neat gold-plated chain."
One look at his father and a swift glance at his mother convinced the boy that they had not been parties to any joke. Yet where were the watch and chain?
"Who could have left this slip of paper here?" asked Mrs. Prescott.
"Hardly any one outside of the family," replied Mr. Prescott. "I don't understand this at all."
"And mother's gift, too?" pondered Dick aloud, growing more puzzled every instant.